Get started in five steps

I often get asked about how to start working out considering the initial struggle. Well, there was a time when I didn’t exercise at all. I realized that there was something I didn’t like about myself and my genes. Sadly, obesity and diabetes run in my family, and I knew that I had to do something about it. And you know what? Feeling good about yourself is a matter of choice.

The steps to start something new can work for anything, like my recently acquired desire to become a swimmer, or a blogger (so thanks for reading, you are helping me on this one). Here they go…

What makes you happy? How important is following a certain goal. The moment when you realize the true reasons why you want to do something, you will be able to commit to it. And don’t worry, you don’t need to quit your life in order to do it. Just make adjustments.

Learn about it. Research and read about what you want to start doing, or ask people about it. Find a club or class. Follow experts or role models in social media. Find someone who does it, and learn as much as you can form them.

Find support. Tell your friends and family about your goals. That makes you feel accountable about showing results. If they laugh, it will be time to prove them wrong. If they support you, then make them feel proud. Get close to people who share your goals, since people we hang out with influence us immensely.

Plan a routine. Make a schedule, or set an alarm. Find a little time to do whatever makes you happy. It may seem difficult at first, but once you get a grip on it, it will become easier. Change won’t happen unless you set a time to do what you want. If you have the discipline to do something for 21 days, you will have found yourself a new habit.

Be patient. Starting something new is always hard. Just hold in there and don’t expect results in one week.

Now let me give you a couple of “Don’ts”

– Don’t become an expert in making excuses for yourself. Just do whatever you want to do, and don’t overthink it.– Stop comparing yourself to others. This sounds like a cliché, but believe me we are too though with ourselves. When we see others, we often see only what we want to see, and we forget the effort others put to be where they are.

Blogging 🙂

This is all for now. Since I just moved to a new country, I need to get started with many activities in my new routine. I will go and follow my own advice. Wish me luck in my new swimming pool!